First of Three Webinars to assist PacifiCorp in selection of NOx reduction Technology 7/14/16 at 11:00 a.m.

PacifiCorp now has to install equipment to meet regional haze requirements impacting 4 x 350 MW coal-fired boilers in Utah. The company is investigating the possibility of installing alternative technology rather than conventional SCR to meet the 0.06 lbs./MMBtu NOx target. The utility personnel have been utilizing the McIlvaine Power Plant Air Quality Decisions (PPAQD) to help determine a course of action. They have determined that a number of alternatives outlined in PPAQD could be applicable.

PacifiCorp has assembled a very knowledgeable group of researchers and consultants in this endeavor. There is some potential research funding available to help them validate some of their conclusions as they move forward in the decision process.

McIlvaine is providing free services to coal-fired power plants to help them make air, water, combustion and other decisions. McIlvaine will be conducting three webinars for PacifiCorp. 

The first webinar on July 14 will identify the range of opportunities with the goal of reducing in furnace NOx to 0.22-0.15 lbs./MMBtu and then use back end technologies to reduce outlet emissions to 0.06 lbs./MMBtu.

The second webinar on July 19 will include in-furnace technologies such as neural networks and combustion modifications to reach the 0.22-0.15 lbs./MMBtu NOx levels.

The third webinar on August 2 will explore ways to obtain the additional reduction to .06-.07 lbs./ MMBtu NOx.

The webinars will be open to anyone. Already a large number of people designated by PacifiCorp are registered. The format will be a review of information posted in the PPAQD. McIlvaine welcomes contributions to the PPAQD prior to any of the three webinars and then at any time in the future. Utilities and subscribers have continuing access to the system and receive weekly Alerts relative to new content.

PacifiCorp would prefer proven methods. However, McIlvaine contends that the best solution may have been proven in some manner other than installation on similar coal-fired power plants. 

McIlvaine was president of Environeering in 1970 when it partnered with United Engineers to provide an MgO sulfuric acid recovery system to Philadelphia Electric. This system was based on Environeering MgO systems already operating in pulp mills. The conditions were identical and so it was not deemed necessary to conduct pilot plant studies. The system was successful and followed by additional systems at other Philadelphia Electric plants.

 In 1965, Environeering partnered with Combustion Engineering to develop limestone scrubbing for coal-fired power plants. A $ 25 million R&D program resulted in the world’s first large scale demo plant (125 MW) at Union Electric Merrimac Station in 1968. Even after all the R&D and pilot work there were many unforeseen problems which developed in the scale up from pilot to 125 MW. The contrast between the successful MgO installation and the problem plagued first limestone installation can serve as a guide.

One option for PacifiCorp is to use SNCR and in duct SCR as has been applied by LP Amina in coal-fired power plants in China and by Fuel Tech in plants elsewhere. How identical are the conditions to these installations?

Catalytic filters from FLSmidth are now being sold for cement plant applications. They use fiberglass bags with embedded catalyst. Several other companies including W.L. Gore and Filtration Group also offer catalytic filter elements. There are hundreds of installations in biomass, glass, and small coal-fired boilers. Is there enough experience and are the conditions similar enough to extrapolate bag life? There is some time for the installation of some catalytic filter units in the existing baghouse to help determine life expectancy.

LoTOx and Pernoxide are attractive because the cost per ton of NOx removed is the same whether you are moving from 0-20 percent removal or 70-90 percent removal. DuPont has sold 30 LoTOx systems for refinery catalytic cracking processes. Is this experience sufficient?

You can register for the three webinars at: Click here to Register for the Webinars

Utility E-Alert Tracks Billions of Dollars of New Coal-fired Power Plants on a Weekly Basis

Here are some headlines from the Utility E-Alert.

UTILITY E-ALERT

#1280 – July 8, 2016

Table of Contents

COAL – US

COAL – WORLD

 

The 41F Utility E-Alert is issued weekly and covers the coal-fired projects, regulations and other information important to the suppliers. It is $950/yr. but is included in the $3020 42EI Utility Tracking System which has data on every plant and project plus networking directories and many other features.

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You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Free_Newsletter_Registration_Form.htm.

 

Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com